title: Passive element enriched photoacoustic computed tomography (PER PACT) for simultaneous imaging of acoustic propagation properties and light absorption.
abstract: We present a 'hybrid' imaging approach which can image both light absorption properties and acoustic transmission properties of an object in a two-dimensional slice using a computed tomography (CT) photoacoustic imager. The ultrasound transmission measurement method uses a strong optical absorber of small cross-section placed in the path of the light illuminating the sample. This absorber, which we call a passive element acts as a source of ultrasound. The interaction of ultrasound with the sample can be measured in transmission, using the same ultrasound detector used for photoacoustics. Such measurements are made at various angles around the sample in a CT approach. Images of the ultrasound propagation parameters, attenuation and speed of sound, can be reconstructed by inversion of a measurement model. We validate the method on specially designed phantoms and biological specimens. The obtained images are quantitative in terms of the shape, size, location, and acoustic properties of the examined heterogeneities.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Photonic Imaging Group, MIRA-Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jithin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jose
authors.forename: Rene G H
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Willemink
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Resink
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Piras
authors.forename: J C G
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: van Hespen
authors.forename: Cornelis H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Slump
authors.forename: Wiendelt
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Steenbergen
authors.forename: Ton G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: Srirang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manohar
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008027:Light; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041622:Tomography, Optical / Q000295:instrumentation*